The Agastache genus is part of the Lamiaceae family and is native to North America, while one species, Agastache rugosa (A. rugosa), is native to East Asia. A review on the phytochemistry and bioactivity of Agastache genus was last performed in 2014. Since then, a lot of progress has been made on the characterization of the phytochemical and pharmacological profiles of Agastache species. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to present a summary of the findings on the phytochemistry and biological effects of several Agastache species, including both extracts and essential oil characterization. We performed a comprehensive search using PubMed and Scopus databases, following PRISMA criteria regarding the study selection process. The available data is focused mainly on the description of the chemical composition and bioactivity of A. rugosa, with fewer reports referring to Agastache mexicana (A. mexicana) and Agastache foeniculum (A. foeniculum). Agastache species are characterized by the dominance of flavonoids and phenolic acids, as well as volatile compounds, particularly phenylpropanoids and monoterpenes. Moreover, a series of pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, anti-atherosclerotic, and cardioprotective properties, have been reported for species from the Agastache genus.

Our study aimed to evaluate the baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in relation to invasion, metastasis, and resectability for patients with gastric cancer, respectively, as predictors of death during hospitalization or surgical complications. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 657 gastric cancer subjects. Inflammatory biomarkers were computed. The associations with tumor stage, metastasis, optimal procedure, in-hospital mortality, and surgical complications were evaluated. Subjects who underwent curative-intent surgery presented lower median NLRs (2.9 vs. 3.79), PLRs (166.15 vs. 196.76), and SIIs (783.61 vs. 1122.25), and higher LMRs (3.34 vs. 2.9) than those who underwent palliative surgery. Significantly higher NLRs (3.3 vs. 2.64), PLRs (179.68 vs. 141.83), and SIIs (920.01 vs. 612.93) were observed for those with T3- and T4-stage cancer, in comparison with those with T1- and T2-stage cancer. Values were significantly higher in the case of metastasis for the NLR (3.96 vs. 2.93), PLR (205.22 vs. 167.17), and SII (1179 vs. 788.37) and significantly lower for the LMR (2.74 vs. 3.35). After the intervention, the NLR, PLR, and SII values were higher (p < 0.01) for patients with surgical complications, and the NLR and SII values were higher for those who died during hospitalization. Higher NLRs, PLRs, SIIs, and lower LMRs were associated with a more aggressive tumor; during early follow-up, these were related to post-operative complications and death during hospitalization.

Nutraceuticals represent an emerging and dynamic scientific field due to their important potential in integrated healthcare through nutritional and medicinal approaches that interact and complement each other mutually. In an attempt to find new sources for such preparations, the present research focuses on the species Craterellus cornucopioides (L.) Pers. (Cantharellaceae), also known as the black trumpet. This wild mushroom species is renowned for its culinary excellence and unique taste and is used especially in a dehydrated state. However, beyond its gastronomic value, recent scientific investigations have revealed its potential as a source of bioactive compounds with pharmaceutical and therapeutic significance. Our study aimed, therefore, to review the current data regarding the morphology, chemical profile, and medicinal potential of the black trumpet mushroom, highlighting its unique attributes. By conducting a comprehensive literature analysis, this paper contributes to the broader understanding of this remarkable fungal species as a potential functional food and its promising applications in the field of therapeutics.

Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in the study of medicinal and aromatic plants, due to their therapeutic properties that correlate with the presence of different active compounds. Agastache species (sp.) are aromatic plants that belong to the Lamiaceae family, originating from North America and East Asia. The present study aimed to evaluate the composition of essential oils (EOs) obtained from different Romanian cultivated Agastache sp. and to investigate their antibacterial and cytotoxic activities. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) screening revealed that menthone was the dominant constituent of A. foeniculum (31.58%), A. rugosa (39.60%) and A. rugosa ‘After Eight’ (39.76%) EOs, while estragole was the major constituent of A. foeniculum “Aromat de Buzău” (63.27%) and A. mexicana (41.66%) EOs. The investigation of the antiproliferative effect showed that A. rugosa and A. foeniculum “Aromat de Buzău” EOs had significant cytotoxic activity on MDA-MB-231 and HEPG2 tumour cell lines, with the most promising effect on the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line for A. foeniculum “Aromat de Buzău” EO (IC₅₀ = 203.70 ± 0.24 μg/mL). Regarding the antibacterial activity, A. rugosa EO was most active against E. coli (8.91 ± 3.27 μL/mL) and S. aureus (10.80 ± 0.00 μL/mL). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the cytotoxic effect of Agastache sp. EOs on MDA-MB-231, HCT116 and HEPG2 tumour cell lines. The results of our study provide new and promising information for the subsequent in vivo study of the pharmacological properties of Agastache sp. essential oils.

The intestinal barrier has recently gained attention as a contributor to the pathophysiology of depression. This narrative review examines the current literature on blood-based markers of intestinal permeability in patients with depression. A structured search of PubMed and EMBASE was performed. Both recent and older studies were included to capture key mechanisms and theoretical foundations. We focused on zonulin, intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), LPS-binding protein (LBP), and soluble CD14 (sCD14). While several studies report altered intestinal permeability markers in individuals with depression, results remain inconsistent. Factors such as small sample sizes and variability in measurement procedures complicate interpretation. In some cases, altered biomarker levels were associated with disease severity or response to antidepressant treatment, suggesting a potential role in patient stratification. However, current evidence does not support their routine use in clinical settings. Further research is needed to clarify their value in psychiatric populations. If validated, these markers may help identify inflammation-related depression subtypes and guide more precise treatment strategies.

This study aimed at presenting a retrospective longitudinal analysis of the pediatric jaw lesions treated at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, over a timeframe of ten years (2012 to 2022). The clinical and radiological characteristics of the jawbone lesions, the treatment outcome, and the recurrence incidence were described. All consecutive patients aged below 18 years, with histologically diagnosed odontogenic tumors (OTs), nonodontogenic tumors (non-OTs), or odontogenic cysts (OCs) were included. Age, dentition type, clinical symptoms, preoperative and postoperative radiological tests, histological diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up information one year following the diagnoses were all examined. Eighty-two cases were included. The ratio of men to women was 1.15:1, with the mandible predominating by 64.4%. Inflammatory radicular cysts predominated in 31.7% of cases. A total of 42.68% of the patients were asymptomatic. Enucleation was the most frequent surgical technique (45.1%), followed by cystectomies (28%) and marsupialization (14.6%). The overall recurrence rate was 7.3%; the most recurrent histopathological lesion was the odontogenic keratocyst. This study sheds new light on the clinical and radiological characteristics, treatment outcomes, and recurrence rate of juvenile jawbone lesions in children and adolescents. The diagnosis and treatment of jawbone lesions in children and adolescents can be enhanced with the use of epidemiological, clinical, and imagistic information.